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Picture from Harry Goodman : Approaching Craignamaddy from the East (Pt 366)

Picture: Approaching Craignamaddy from the East (Pt 366)

Harry Goodman on Craignamaddy, 2010

by Harry Goodman 26 Mar 2010

As we wanted to walk the hills on both sides of Barnes Gap (19 March 2010) we parked at H5517389565A. From here there is a figure of eight route which allows the walker to climb Craigamaddy on the first loop and then come back to the car for a break (lunch/snack). Initially we headed SSW down the road (signed for the Ulster Way) to the start of a good stony track ( H5500089100B) which contoured around the side of Mullaghbane and which we followed to a stile on the right some 2.6km from the start of the walk. There were views S from this lofty track across the valley to Mullaghcarn and SW to Bessy Belle. Once over the stile we followed a winding rough, muddy, stony track up the hillside to its end and then a short distance out to a fence at Pt 366 (H5350088500C). From here we turned left and followed the broad ridge down and then up to Craignamaddy and its flat top extending for some 700 metres W. Fortunately for us the undistinguished high point of the hill is at the E end a few metres south of the fence avoiding the necessity to trudge out over a further 700 metres of clumpy heather in search of the unmarked summit (H5220089500D). Indeed the top is so flat that one could aimlessly walk around looking for the highest tuft of heather/grass. From here, some 4.9k into the walk, we headed back E along the fence to Pt 366 and then, instead of returning by our outward route opted to continue E along the fence over the lower top of Mullaghbane and then unerringly along the fence to our start point at Barnes Gap. All of the time to the N across the Glenelly Valley were fine views of the High Sperrins Ridge from Mullacarbatagh to Sawel and beyond. Trackback: https://mountainviews.ie/summit/861/comment/4536/

Your Score: Very useful << >>Average

three5four0 on Craignamaddy, 2008

by three5four0 22 Dec 2008

(see Mullaghbolig for the start of this walk)

From Barnes Gap the Central Sperrins Way traverses the south flank of Mullaghbane, past a couple of old style, and increasingly rare vernacular farm buildings to a stile on your right at 535885C (no sign). Cross this and follow the track up hill, which fades out before you reach a fence on the crest of the hill, there will be a fence junction to your left with a stile at 535894E . Cross the stile and follow the fence to the summit of Cragnamaddy, which in true Sperrins style was a bit rounded & soft.

After the earlier hills being mist bound, it was good to have views from the last hill of the day, with all the higher hills being topped with snow and a good golden sunset lighting up the hills all around. West of the summit at 521895F, a track (not obvious at first) leads down hill (north east) to the Central Sperrins Way, however, new wire fences, topped with barbed wire have been erected right across this track. You may wish to cross the fence north of the summit and descend north, to try and pick up the track and hopefully avoid the wire fencing as well.

Once on the Central Sperrins Way turn left and walk down the improving track with one more stile (on your left) as track becomes tarmac to a road junction at 520903G, turn right down a lane to the Landahussy road, turning right here for the last 3km back to the car park. Giving a walk of around 13.3 miles.

Alas, in search of a pint of Guinness to round the day off, we stopped at the pub in Cranagh only to find it closed, perhaps the locals were taking the vows at Toberanna seriously. So we sped off home to enjoy several bottles of Dorothy Goodbody's Wholesome Stout, a tasty end to the day indeed. Trackback: https://mountainviews.ie/summit/861/comment/3485/

Your Score: Very useful << >>Average

Picture from Aidy : Close to summit, looing towards higher Sperrins to the north.

Picture: Close to summit, looing towards higher Sperrins to the north.

A Broad Flattish Top

by Aidy 18 Mar 2016

I took the car up a passable but rough track off the Magherabrack Rd, parking at around H 53465 88507H. As it turned out, after walking slightly west, I found myself on the much better Meenadoo Road, and as I continued west along it, I could have easily taken the car up it instead and parked a little closer to the point where I left the road for the hillside. I cut north, leaving the road around H 52825 88842I, going through some coniferous trees to avoid walking through a farmyard even though the farmhouse itself wasn't being lived in. I continued in a general northwesterly direction to the top, although it was a meandering route due to boggy patches and awkward fences. As I got closer to the top the ground was hard going, with thigh deep tussocky grass and heather to wade through. The top itself is a broad flat area, making it hard to identify a highest point. Fairly decent views around the Sperrins, although the day had turned dark and gloomy with a flat light on my visit. Trackback: https://mountainviews.ie/summit/861/comment/18462/